Which path for Newton?

[Mr. Scot]

Right now, the team's focus with Cam Newton is to turn him into more of a pocket passer and in doing so extend his career to maybe another ten years.

But I've heard some folks on radio, TV and elsewhere suggest they'd rather the Panthers just keep him as he is, even if it means he only plays another five years or so (or less).

If you had to choose one, do you change him to keep him longer or leave him alone knowing that he won't last as long?

Quality or quantity?

[goodoleboy]

I will take Cam being Cam for 5 over cramming a square peg into a round hole for 10.

 

[PantherBrew]

I don't think this is an actual choice.  

Cam is like Lebron James, he is a freak of nature.  

And, like others have said.  Cam being Cam is SAFER then him being a strict pocket passer.

But his game will naturally evolve with age.

[countryboi]

how about C: where we slowly wean him away from running.

[wud35]

I really think that as cam progresses as a passer that he can find a happy medium. 

[thefuzz]

I like the path we are taking now, and to honestly answer the question, I'm in for 10, not 5.

 

Elway never got his SB wins until the end, Manning didn't get his first until year 9 (IIRC), and it may take all of Cam's career to get him one.  Wean him, and Ron/Shula off the power run tit, and get Cam's full potential, by using that aspect very sparingly.

I'm never one to think that a team is "one piece away", or that it's a good idea to go "all in" on a year or two.  Be consistently good to great, make the playoffs year in and year out, and you will finally get a trophy at the end....that's what I want.

[Catufb85]

Cam is literally the Lebron of the NFL.  He's praised for his intangibles and his never-before-seen type of physical traits but like Lebron (when it comes to taking game winning-shots or anything else the media nit-picks) Cam is criticized for having a 53% completion and a low QBR after a good season. 

[Mr. Scot]

2 minutes ago, PantherBrew said:

I don't think this is an actual choice.  

Cam is like Lebron James, he is a freak of nature.  

And, like others have said.  Cam being Cam is SAFER then him being a strict pocket passer.

But his game will naturally evolve with age.

I know there are people who believe he can continue to play like he does and still have a lengthy career.

Last year and early this year suggest otherwise.

The shoulder problem, ankle problem, and worst of all the shots to his head...he's not Superman.  The punishment his body has received has definitely taken a toll on him, and by the end of this season he'll have absorbed more.

I just don't see it, which is why I believe this is a valid choice.

[rainwater]

14 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Right now, the team's focus with Cam Newton is to turn him into more of a pocket passer and in doing so extend his career to maybe another ten years.

 

Turning him into a pocket passer will shorten his career. I'm not sure how people don't understand this. Cam running the ball doesn't result in big hits. Cam standing in the pocket results in big hits. What he is evolving into is a smarter passer by making quicker decisions. Cam isn't going to stop running as that is his biggest weapon.

[Mr. Scot]

5 minutes ago, countryboi said:

how about C: where we slowly wean him away from running.

Then you wind up with a guy who looks like Newton did in the first few games.

Keep him running and you see the guy you saw the past two weeks.

[MCC]

I'll take Cam for just 5 years if it leads to a Super Bowl. 

[thefuzz]

3 minutes ago, rainwater said:

Turning him into a pocket passer will shorten his career. I'm not sure how people don't understand this. Cam running the ball doesn't result in big hits. Cam standing in the pocket results in big hits. What he is evolving into is a smarter passer by making quicker decisions. Cam isn't going to stop running as that is his biggest weapon.

This is all super wrong.

[PantherBrew]

Just now, Mr. Scot said:

I know there are people who believe he can continue to play like he does and still have a lengthy career.

Last year and early this year suggest otherwise.

The shoulder problem, ankle problem, and worst of all the shots to his head...he's not Superman.  The punishment his body has received has definitely taken a toll on him, and by the end of this season he'll have absorbed more.

I just don't see it, which is why I believe this is a valid choice.

The only dangerous play for Cam that I can see when he is running is the Single wing  QB Belly in short yardage/ goal line. 

Other than that Cam has gotten better at not taking shots.  

But yeah, Tom Brady has a shoulder problem now too.  

Most of Cam's injuries are QB related, not really Cam running related, IMO.  

I do think the theoretical/hypothetical does make for an interesting discussion. 

[Catufb85]

1 minute ago, Mr. Scot said:

I know there are people who believe he can continue to play like he does and still have a lengthy career.

Last year and early this year suggest otherwise.

The shoulder problem, ankle problem, and worst of all the shots to his head...he's not Superman.  The punishment his body has received has definitely taken a toll on him, and by the end of this season he'll have absorbed more.

I just don't see it, which is why I believe this is a valid choice.

Cam is most effective when he is allowed to be Cam.  Using the talent and physical traits that got him to the NFL.  However, because of the extra amount of punishment theres no telling how long he could last.  The only thing i hope for is he makes better decisions on sliding, holding on to the ball to long, etc.  He will hopefully instill those "little things" that will allow him to save himself from additional punishment, not forcing situations that lead to turnovers, and extend his career.

Its just a physical sport and there's no predicting the future.

I say this as a former football player who played from 8 years old and through 3 years of college never missed a game, practice, workout, and get to college and tore my ACL twice. 

Just never know.